AllMovie

The title of Mark Moormann's film is simultaneously direct in its implications and expansive in its significance of singer-songwriter Don McLean's contributions to the music industry. Instead of being just a dirge, the lyrics of McLean's song express a cultural movement in America after the death of Buddy Holly. In the documentary, McLean covers why he wrote the song as a reflection on what he saw happening, starting with the plane crash that killed (Holly), Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. And finally, he explains much of the lyrics that people have speculated about for over fifty years.